3 Easy and Economical Upgrades

Network operators of all sizes are always looking for ways to economically upgrade their networks.  There are three ways we’ve found to implement economical upgrades.  They are:

1. Return Path
   

   There are two types of return path upgrades:

   • Activate Return Path – You install return kits and sweep the return path so you can add two-way services such as cable modems, telephony, or video on demand.
   • Expand Return Path Bandwidth – For legacy 5 to 30 MHz return paths, you replace existing electronics in all of the amplifiers to upgrade the return (e.g. 5-to-42 MHz), increasing the return bandwidth to add more interactive services.
     

2. Bandwidth Enhancements
   

   Bandwidth enhancements are an economical way to increase bandwidth to offer more services such as HD, VoD, DOCSIS3, and telephony. During this upgrade, you change out only the RF active devices. The amplifier spacings stay the same, but you use higher gain amplifiers to increase existing bandwidth. These upgrades can be done typically for 450 MHz systems and above.

   
   
3. Economical Upgrades
   

   For an economical upgrade, you evaluate the existing infrastructure and create an upgrade plan that re-uses as much of the existing infrastructure as possible. Typically, economical upgrades consist of either splicing-in or module swapping active devices and doing plate changes on the passive devices. Also, some fiber cable is placed to segment areas into smaller service areas. Module swapping is the least expensive solution. The objective is to improve bandwidth. Common upgrades include 330 to 550 MHz, 450 to 550 (or 625) MHz, or 550 to 750 MHz.